Final World Cup Group Update

Group F
Italy: As usual, they will come through because they got an easy group and because no referee has the courage to punish them for their fakes and dives. I wish they would get the ref from the Germany-Australia game that gave 2 yellows for diving. They will beat Paraguay and unfortunately pass to the next round.

Paraguay: Played the best football of this group, only the unbelievable rally from the Kiwis robbed them of a sure place in the final round. Even with a loss to Italy they will advance on the next round.

New Zealand: I am rooting for them and I wish that they will pass to the next round. But realistically, I do not see them beating Slovakia. They lack the offensive punch. But I will be very happy to be wrong.

Slovakia: Pathetic showing for this team. They are a shadow of their qualification self.

Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil: I am still worried since without the handball, the game against Ivory Coast would have been a lot closer. They did not show their usual dominance, but they did what they needed to qualify.

Portugal: They revealed themselves and North Korea for what they were. They had fun in that last game and looked good. They are starting to build up momentum, if they can beat Brazil, they are going to be the team to beat in the final round.

Ivory Coast: Sad, they still have a mathematical chance but will most likely play only for pride.

North Korea: If I was a player for that team I would start to think about defecting. They looked good against Brazil but Portugal revealed them for what they are: a team that does not belong there.

Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea

Group H
Spain: Looks like they are now starting to play for real. Nice trashing of Honduras, there is just too much talent in that team and they need the win.

Chile: Is under pressure not to lose to avoid Brazil, but the alternative, Portugal, is not much better. Even a 0-1 loss would give them the top to the group. Unfortunately, they will probably lose by 2 goals to Spain.

Switzerland: Played well, but they do not have enough offense to get what they need to qualify (a 3 goals difference win and a Chile defeat). But anything is possible since this group turned out to be the group of death.

Honduras: Outclassed by everyone, practically eliminated.

Spain
Chile
Switzerland
Honduras